“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- that task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Seoul Sisters

Seoul. A crowded, bustling city of
10,000,000 people.

My Asian adventures continued as I
breathed in the new smells of this foreign country.

With my suitcase trailing behind me, I
stepped onto the crowded subway and made my way across the city to have more
reunions with friends. Throughout the week I spent in Korea I was able to visit
with friends I had met in North Carolina, Hawaii, and at seminary in
California.

You know the song, “It’s a small world
afterall”? I was humming it all week as I marveled at how small our world truly
is. With 8 hours on an airplane, I went from beaches and palm trees to kimchee
and ancient Asian temples. Friends whom I thought I would never see again were
suddenly sitting across from me.

Exploring Seoul with Eunice

My journey began by visiting with Eunice,
a friend I met in Hawaii in 2010. She showed me some sites in Seoul and
introduced me to some amazing food. After 4 years, it was so great to see her!

With Charles, Eunice and Jooha at their church

I made my way down from Dongdaemun to
Miguem where my friends Charles and Eunice live. Charles is the English pastor
of a large church in the area. I was able to go to his church service and hear
him preach. I was in seminary with Charles and Eunice. We spent so much time in
classes with each other and studying in the library.

It was a joy to see them
in action and see how God is blessing their commitment to serve Him. When we
were in seminary, we had no idea where God would lead- but two years later I’m
in Hawaii as a missionary and the Kims are serving in South Korea. We exchanged
stories over dinner of how God has been at work in our lives- what a blessing!

Coming from a college of 3,000 in a tiny
country town in North Carolina, it’s amazing that Juyeon, Mina and Alice ended
up there (all the way from Korea!) But I’m so thankful that God brought them
there because during those years at Campbell, we became close friends.

With my "Seoul Sistahs" Mina and Juyeon

Five years later, we found ourselves
catching up on years past and reminiscing about our memories in North Carolina.
Hairstyles had changed and we’d all grown up a bit, but the bond we shared had
only deepened. Seeing them in their country and experiencing their culture
helped me to know them even better.

Not much has changed since our college days :)

My friend Sylvia was an exchange student
in Hawaii in 2012. Her family graciously invited me to stay in their home and
boy was that fun! Her parents (who speak very little English) insisted that I
call them “Mommy and Daddy.” Hand gestures and smiles were our common language-
and of course laughter, which is a universal language! I became a part of their
family that week and was sad to say goodbye!

Learning all about Korean culture with Sylvia and Danwoo

You can't go to Korea without going to a water park!

I'm so thankful for the friendships I have with people all over the world. I love our differences, I love their cultures...and I love how our faith in God binds us all together. Looking forward to the next adventure!